Military Industrial Complex?

Question

In his farewell address, Dwight D. Eisenhower warned of the dangers of a military industrial complex:

"In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the militaryindustrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.

We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together."

Can you speak to this comment in relation to today?
How "alert and knowledgeable" is our citizenry?

Answer 1

Military - Industrial - Congressional complex

Eisenhower actually termed it initially as military - industrial - congressional complex. What is interesting is that the influence of the complex obviously scared Eisenhower who was himself a military man well-versed in the workings of politics and government. The nexus between this triumvirate leads to a very powerful coalition that has dictated much of US post-war (i.e., WWII) strategy. Just look at the amount of money spent on arms and weaponry, the number of wars we have had over the years, the budgets of NSA, CIA and Pentagon *since WWII*. As someone said, when war is so profitable, you will have more of it. Invented wars to keep the machinery going. The public hardly cares about the scale and scope of the complex's reach. Most are too caught up with the Republican-Democratic divide. The complex is more powerful than party politics. Both parties pander to it. Most of the younger generation probably doesn't even know about the complex.

Answer 2

America has moved into a post-industrial economy. The military-industrial complex might still exist in some sense (the military begs for enough budget to keep Lockheed-Martin and Boeing afloat by buying $100 million fighter planes), but it's no longer exerts such a significant influence on the government and society as it did when manufacturing constituted the lion's share of the economy.

Answer 3

Alert and knowledgeable are to the common citizen as hungry is to a glutted herd beast. What Ike didn't anticipate was the Media Complex becoming as big of a threat as the Military Industrial Complex. The control of information is very much hand in hand with the control of munitions and industry. In fact, they are a triumvirate of ultimate power. If you control physical force, the means to supply it, and the flow of information, then you are assured of political domination.

Answer 4

Almost nobody is aware of the Aerospace Industry Association. This lobbying group for the military industry controls both parties of Congress. Their influence is greater than that of AIPAC.

To understand the influence of the AIA, consider this:
We 'support Israel by giving them nearly $10 billion in the form of grants and loans, though we immediately 'forgive' the loans from repayment. The Israelis then spend these billions on U.S. weaponry. The other Mideast nations, in trying to keep pace with Israel, likewise spend billions of dollars each on U.S. weaponry. We don't truly support Israel. We support maintaining an arms race in the Mideast for profit. Many Israelis are now of the opinion that this dangerous arms race isn't worth the $10 billion. It's worth hundreds of billions annually to the AIA, so it continues.

Answer 5

They are alert and knowledgeable. Part of the problem is political apathy which seems to be on the rise everywhere in the world. The low turnout during general elections is testament to the fact that many have simply lost faith in democracy and political participation altogether.

Answer 6

The republicans are always telling you that the liberals control the media..But look at Fake news you get from Fox and all the propaganda you get from right wing talk radio, If these cheerleaders for the GOP told its viewers and listeners that the sun was green.,.. they would believe it and go out and repeat it over and over. the house and senate have been negligent in their duties of keeping the "the checks and balances". They have given this president a free ride... until recently... thank God for that.

Who do you think own most of the radio stations spewing out most of this Bush propagand... can I say...CLEAR CHANNEL!

Answer 7

Not very. Why because the American people don't know much about the Military Contract world, thats what its called now. If they did they would scream bloody murder and how there tax dollars are spent. Halliburton is only the tip on the Iceberg.

Answer 8

united statesa. has moved right into a submit-business financial device. the militia-business complicated might nonetheless exist in some experience (the militia begs for adequate funds to maintain Lockheed-Martin and Boeing afloat by using identifying to purchase $one hundred million fighter planes), besides the undeniable fact that it is now not exerts one in all those important impression on the government and society because it did while production constituted the lion's proportion of the financial device.

Answer 9

you make vedry good observations! and yes, with the way BUSH AND OUR GOVERNMENT IS ACTING, we are running interfereence in the affairs of too many other countries who have buillt up resentments towards us! we say it is our national securioty interests, but that is bull!! we nned to back off and pay attention to domestic affairs for once!